Concrete Jungle Dreams: Museums, Skyscrapers, and Hidden Gems
Empire State Building & Herald Square
Midtown
Times Square & Bryant Park
Midtown
Grand Central Terminal & dinner in Hell's Kitchen
Midtown
💡 Pro Tip:
Visit the Empire State Building early in the morning or late at night to avoid the longest lines.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
Upper East Side
Central Park walk & Bethesda Terrace
Central Park
American Museum of Natural History
Upper West Side
💡 Pro Tip:
Central Park is massive. Rent a bike to see more of it in less time.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island ferry
Battery Park
9/11 Memorial & Museum & Wall Street
Financial District
Oculus & dinner at Brookfield Place
World Trade Center
💡 Pro Tip:
Book Statue of Liberty pedestal or crown tickets months in advance. The 9/11 Museum is emotionally heavy; plan accordingly.
Chelsea Market breakfast
Chelsea
The High Line walk & Hudson Yards (The Vessel)
West Side
Whitney Museum of American Art or Greenwich Village jazz
Meatpacking/Greenwich Village
💡 Pro Tip:
The High Line is best enjoyed on a weekday morning when it's less crowded.
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
DUMBO (Brooklyn Bridge Park) & lunch at Time Out Market
DUMBO
Williamsburg dinner & rooftop views
Williamsburg
💡 Pro Tip:
The view of the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn Bridge Park is iconic. Stay for sunset.
Rockefeller Center & Top of the Rock
Midtown
Fifth Avenue shopping
Midtown
Broadway Show & nightcap in a speakeasy
Theater District
💡 Pro Tip:
Top of the Rock offers the best view of Central Park and the Empire State Building. Check TKTS booth for discounted Broadway tickets.
SoHo, Little Italy & Chinatown exploration
Lower Manhattan
Last-minute souvenir shopping or visit a local cafe
Various
Transfer to JFK/LGA/EWR for departure
Airport
💡 Pro Tip:
SoHo is the capital of street style and high-end boutiques. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport; NYC traffic is legendary.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (6 nights) | $1200-$2000 | $2500-$4500 | $7000+ |
| Meals & Drinks | $600-$1000 | $1500-$2500 | $4000+ |
| Attractions & Broadway | $400-$700 | $1000-$1800 | $3000+ |
| Transportation (MetroCard/Uber) | $100-$200 | $300-$600 | $1200+ |
| TOTAL (per person) | $2300-$3900 | $5300-$9400 | $15200+ |